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SERMON, 

DELIVERED 

AT  THE  INTERMENT 

OF      THE 

Rev.  JEREMY  BELKNAP,  d.  d. 

MINISTER  OF  THE  CHURCH  IN  FEDERAL  STREET, 

BOSTON, 
June  22,  1798. 


By  JOHN  THORNTON  KIRKLAND, 

Minister  of  the  New  South  Church,  Boston. 


tPTiHILiff') 


Printed  by   MANNING  6*  LQRING. 


I 


T^C&%&@ 


liWl1Wi''Ttiri'8 


John    ix.  4. 

i  must  work  the  works  of  him  that 
sent  me,  while  it  is  day  i    the  night 

COMETH,  WHEN  NO  MAN  CAN  WORK. 


SOLEMN  and  affecting  is  death,  approaching  in 
his  ufual  forms,  and  levelling  undiftinguifhed 
victims.  The  thoughtlefs  or  the  infenfible  only  can 
fee  without  emotion  the  funeral  of  the  ftranger  or  ac- 
quaintance,  brought  to  his  end  by  the  gradual  waftc 
of  difeafe  or  the  common  decays  of  age.  But  is  there 
an  inftance  of  mortality,  where  the  victim  is  a  friend, 
interwoven  with  our  hearts ;  a  hufband,  a  parent,  a 
brother,  bound  to  us  by  every  natural  and  domeilic 
tie  ;  an  inftance,  in  which  the  ftroke  was  fudden,  and 
the  period  many  years  anticipated  the  courfe  of  na- 
ture ?  We  are  not  human,  if  we  can  avoid  keen  dif- 
trefs.  Does  the  breach  thus  made  extend  beyond  the 
circle  of  private  fociety  into  the  community;  compel- 
ling her  to  mourn,  with  relatives  and  friends,  that  Re- 
ligion, Science,  andPatriotifm  are  deprived  of  a  diftin- 
guifhed  ornament  and  fupport  ?  The  triumph  of  the 
deftroyer  feems  to  be  full ;  and  extorts  from  the  pi- 
ous and  feeling  heart  its  afflicted  prayer,  Help,  Lord, 

FOR  THE  GODLY  MAN  CEASETH,  THE  FAITHFUL  FAIL 
FROM  AMONG  THE  CHILDREN  OF  MEN." 

You 


C    6'   ] 

You  have  juft  mingled  your  forrow,  Fathers  and 
Brethren  of  this  Chriftian  Society,  with  that  of  a  Af- 
ter Church,  in  this  town,  for  the  fudden  and  affecting 
departure  of  her  valued  paftor,  and  you  are  now  call- 
ed by  the  Supreme  and  Righteous  Difpofer  to  drink 
of  the  fame  cup  ;  and  behold  the  light,  which  has  burn- 
ed and  {hone  in  this  golden  candleftick,  at  once  extin- 
guifned  by  the  chilling  damp  of  death.  That  fun,  in 
which  ye  begun  to  rejoice  at  noon,  and  in  which  ye 
hoped  to  continue  to  rejoice  to  the  clofe  of  a  long 
day,  has  fuddenly  gone  down,  no  more  to  greet  your 
longing  fight  in  this  lower  world.  However  appre- 
henlive  you  were  for  the  duration  of  a  life,  whofe 
thread  had  been  weakened,  though  not  its  value  im- 
paired by  difeafe,  it  was  not  poffible  for  you  to  realize 
the  affecting  thought,  that  your  Paftor's  laft  was  his 
final  addrefs  to  you  from  this  defk ;  and  that  he 
would  no  more  vifit  the  Houfe  of  God,  but  on  his 
way  to  the  tomb.  So  vain  is  the  hope,  fo  fleeting  is 
the  breath  of  man !  In  the  morning  he  groweth  up 
and  flourifheth  ;  in  the  evening  he  is  cut  down  and 
withered.  As  men  and  as  chriftians  it  is  becoming 
in  you  to  mourn  that  you  "  fhall  fee  his  face  no 
more."  Are  there  any  friends  of  religion  and  learn- 
ing, of  the  church  or  their  country,  who  will  not  join 
you  in  deploring  an  event,  which  fo  deeply  concerns 
your  improvement  and  confolation,  the  religious  ed- 
ucation of  your  children  ;  and  the  general  caufe  of 
chriftianity,  of  focial  order,  of  ufeful  and  ornamental 
literature  ?  But  while  we  feel,  let  us  fubmit,  while  we 
fuffer,  let  us  learn  wifdom.  Let  us  not  act  as  if  we 
had  nothing  to  do,  but  firft  to  weep  over  affliction 
and  then  try  to  forget  it,  regardlefs  of  its  caufe  or 

end; 


C      7     J 

end  j  fince  we  are  allured  that  it  fprings  not  from 
the  dull ;  but  is  the  mefTenger  of  heaven,  lent  on  an 
errand  full  of  love,  defigned  to  convey  important 
inftruclion,  to  inflict  falutary  difcipline,  and  to  con- 
duel  us  to  the  fountain  of  true  confolation.  "  Hear 
ye  the  rod  and  who  hath  appointed  it  j"  and  woe 
will  be  turned  into  blefiing  and  forrow  into  joy. 

Could  that  voice  of  our  departed  friend,  which 
ipoke  for  God  and  virtue  with  fweet  perfuafion,  break 
the  filence,  in  which  it  is  locked  by  death,  it  would 
doubtlefs  exhort  every  one  preient  to  confider,  and 
apply  to  himfelf  the  words  of  our  Lord,  "  I  mud 
work  the  works  of  him  that  lent  me,  while  it  is 
day  ;  the  night  cometh,  in  which  no  man  can  work." 
With  the  folemnity  of  truth  and  the  zeal  of  affec- 
tion it  would  addrefs  us — "  Let  the  fcene  before  your 
eyes  effectually  remind  you,  that  you  are  not  your 
own,  but  the  creatures  of  God ;  fent  into  the  world 
by  him,  with  all  your  talents  and  opportunities,  not 
to  indulge  eafe  and  fecurity,  but  to  be  awake,  dili- 
gent, and  active ;  not  to  follow  the  impulfes  of  appe- 
tite and  fancy,  but  to  perform  the  fervice,  which 
your  Creator  has  allotted.  The  time  is  fliort — death 
cannot  be  diftant,  it  may  be  near ; — make  no  delay 
of  your  duty,  for  the  grave  will  put  a  period  to  your 
labors." 

Often  do  we  conduct,  as  if  we  were  the  produc- 
tion of  giddy  chance  or  blind  fate ;  forgetting  that 
life  and  its  continuance,  the  powers  of  our  nature  and 
the  circumflances  of  our  fituation  proceed  from 
God,  the  fole  fountain  of  being  and  happinefs.  We 
Ihould  view  them  as  a  trufl  committed  to  us  by  him, 
tjo  whom  we  are  accountable  for  their  improvement. 

Are 


C      8      ] 

Are  not  the  faculties  of  body  and  mind  ;  understand- 
ing, by  which  to  judge  and  reafon  ;  confcience,  by 
which  to  determine  the  right  and  wrong  ;  focial  affec- 
tions, the  revelation  of  our  duty  and  happinefs,  and 
all  its  efficacy  upon  our  hearts  and  lives  ;  fo  many  in- 
stances of  the  divine  bounty  and  grace  ?  None  but 
the  thoughtlefs  or  depjfaved  can  overlook  the  difpo- 
iing  hand  of  Providence,  both  in  their  advantages  of 
birth  and  education,  their  ftation  and  circumftances, 
their  health*  reputation,  riches  and  friends ;  and  in 
their  ficknefs,  lofTes,  difficulties,  and  forrows. 

Being  thus  fent  into  the  world  by  God,  with  all 
our  talents  and  opportunities  derived  from  him, what 
is  our  end  ?  Is  it  to  fleep  on  the  bed  of  lloth  ?  To 
wafte  our  years  in  idle  inactivity  ?  Is  it  not  rather  to 
be  diligent  and  laborious  ?  M-an  is  not  excepted  from 
that  law  of  action,*  which  binds  all  other  creatures. 
Powers  of  body  and  mind  were  not  given  to  be  un- 
exei  ted,  nor  opportunities  of  Providence  and  grace, 
to  be  unimproved.  Since  our  talents  are  impaired 
or  loft  by  difufe  ;  fince  by  exertion  only  can  we  pro- 
vide for  our  prefervation  and  well  being,  our  tran- 
quillity and  eafc  ;  fmce  floth  debafes  our  nature,  lays 
us  open  to  every  temptation,  and  throws  contempt 
on  the  gifts  of  God,  beftowed  for  important  pur- 
pofes ;  we  muft  be  fenfible  that  diligence  and  activ- 
ity are  not  lefs  our  duty,  than  our  happinefs. 

Think  not  however  that  we  have  only  to  make, 
unconcerned  how  we  direct;  exertion.  Better  is  it  to 
lie  down  in  inaction,  to  be  refigned  to  floth,  than  be 
furrendered  to  "  heedlefs  rambling  impulfe,"  to  un- 
governed  pafTions,  to  infatiable  appetites,  to  wild  fan- 
cies.    We  muft  work  the  works  of  him  that  fent  us. 

What 


[      9      ] 

What  are  his  works,  but  all  the  duties  of  life  ?  All 
which  fulfil  the  end  of  our  being,  our  own  greateft 
good  in  connexion  with  the  greateft  good  of  others 
and  the  glory  of  the  Creator,  mould  engage  our  pur- 
fuit.  Happily  for  human  ignorance  and  prejudice, 
we  are  not  left  to  difcover  the  methods  of  attaining 
to  this  end  by  the  partial  and  uncertain  light  of  our 
own  reafon  ;  but  are  guided  by  the  inftruclions  of 
revelation,  the  plain  laws  and  example  of  Jefus  Chrift. 
They  teach  us,  that  we  are  doing  the  works  of  him, 
that  lent  us,  when,  under  the  influence  of  piety,  of 
natural  affections,  and  the  duty  we  owe  to  our 
higher  interefts  and  the  good  of  others,  we  are  mak- 
ing comfortable  and  decent  provifion  for  the  out- 
ward circumftances  of  ourfelves,  and  thofe  connected 
with  us ;  when  we  are  endeavouring  to  acquire  all 
ufeful  knowledge,  and  efpecially  divine  and  moral 
knowledge  ;  when  we  are  ftriving  to  eftablifh  in  our 
hearts  and  lives  holy  difpofitions  and  habits,  faith 
and  repentance,  devotion ^  benevolence  and  felf-gov- 
ernment ;  when,  by  the  difcharge  of  the  duties  of  our 
calling,  and  by  other  labors,  adapted  to  our  talents, 
tafte,  and  opportunities,  we  are  contributing  to  the 
welfare  of  fociety ;  and  directly  and  indirectly  to  our 
own,  and  others'  eternal  falvation. 

Let  us  be  perfuaded  to  dwell  on  all  the  motives  to 
this  diligence  in  the  duties  amgned  us,  arifing  from 
the  prefent  and  future  reward  annexed  to  it ;  from 
the  worth  and  dignity  it  implies ;  from  the  nature 
of  the  happinefs,  it  affords,  intenfe,  durable,  conftant, 
independent  of  accident  and  time ;  and  from  the 
bafenefs  and  wearinefs,  the  lhame,  remorfe,  and  mif- 
ery  infeparable  from  an  unimproved  and  ufelefs  life. 
B  Let 


[        10       ] 

Let  us  look  into  the  future  world  to  that  outer 
darknefs,  weeping,  and  gnafhing  of  teeth,  threat- 
ened to  the  unprofitable  fervant  ;  and  to  that  glory, 
honor,  and  immortality  promifed  to  thofe,  who  pa- 
tiently continue  in  well  doing.  But  on  this  occa- 
fion  it  becomes  us  particularly,  to  lay  open  our  hearts 
to  the  commanding  motives  to  activity  and  dili- 
gence in  the  Works  of  him  that  fent  us>  arifing  from 
a  fenfe  of  the  fliort  duration  of  our  opportunities  j 
and  a  refpecl  to  death,  as  the  period  of  our  labors. 

The  brevity  of  this  duration  is  fitly  reprefented  by 
a  day.  How  many  of  the  firft  years  of  life  pafs  away 
in  the  immaturity  of  the  faculties  and  the  difcipline 
of  education  ?  After  we  become  capable  of  ufeful  ac- 
tion, how  much  time  is  wrefted  from  ferious  employ- 
ments by  the  necefiities  of  nature,  the  forms  of  civil- 
ity and  the  avocations  of  amufement  ?  The  greateft 
genius  is  not  fecure  againft  premature  imbecility ; 
iince  it  is  fometimes  the  will  of  the  Supreme  Difpofer 
to  "  pour  contempt  on  the  mighty  by  weakening 
their  ftrength,  and  to  take  away  the  heart  of  the 
chief  of  the  earth.'*  But  the  longeft  life,  enjoyed 
in  health  and  vigor  is  a  vapour,  that  foon  paffeth 
away.  Who  Ihall  prefume  on  long  life  ;  or  even  on 
to-morrow  ?  fince  we  may  be  cut  down  in  the  morn- 
ing, or  our  fun  defcend  at  noon.  "  Is  your  ftrength, 
the  ftrength  of  ftones  ?  Is  your  flefh  of  brafs  ?"  The 
warnings  of  mortality  utter  their  voice  in  the  weak- 
nefs  of  our  bodies,  expofed  to  difeafe  within  and  ac- 
cident without ;  in  the  ravages  of  the  deftroyer 
among  the  young  and  old,  the  rich  and  poor,  the 
great  and  fmall.  Though  ignorant  how  long  or  fhort 
may  be  our  ftay  on  earth  j  of  this  we  are  allured, 

that 


C    |i    ] 

that  every  paffing  hour  haftens  its  termination.  The 
moments  gone,  are  gone  forever.  With  an  unper- 
ceived,  but  fteady  progrefs,  we  defcend  the  ftream  of 
time.  When  we  are  fleeping  or  waking,  our  frail 
bark  glides  along,  till,  arrived  to  the  end  of  the 
ftream,  however  unprepared,  it  will  fhoot  the  gulph 
into  the  wide  ocean  of  eternity. 

Is  not  this  frail  and  tranfitory  condition,  a  power- 
ful motive  to  diligence,  fidelity,  and  ardor  in  the  du- 
ties of  life  ?  It  ought  to  be  irrefiftible  to  all,  who 
attend  to  the  other  truth  contained  in  our  Lord's 
declaration,  that  death  will  put  a  period  to  our  labors. 
On  prefent  character  depends  future  condition,  on  the 
improvement  of  time,  hang  the  iffues  of  eternity. 
*<By  the  deeds  done  in  the  body,"  are  men  to  be  judged. 
In  the  night  of  death  no  man  can  work.  Vain  is  the 
hope  to  fupply  the  deficiencies  of  this  life  in  any 
other  ftage  of  being.  The  means  of  knowledge,  the 
opportunities  of  virtue,  and  the  occafions  of  ufeful- 
nefs,  here  enjoyed,  will  not  follow  us  into  the  grave, 
where  there  is  "  no  work,  wifdom  nor  device.'' 

Such  are  the  lefibns  and  motives,  xat  all  times 
fuited  to  affect  our  minds  and  hearts,  at  this  time 
brought  home  to  our  bofoms  by  the  life  and  death 
of  the  great  and  good  man,  to  whofe  remains  we  are 
now  paying  our  tribute  of  tender  and  mournful  re- 
fpecl:.  Let  us  be  inftru&ed  by  his  faithful,  laborious  life, 
and  warned  by  his  fudden  and  too  early  death.  To 
recoiled  what  we  revered  and  loved  in  the  character 
of  a  loft  friend,  is  the  balm  of  grief,  the  indulgence 
claimed  by  grateful  veneration.  We  owe  it  to  truth 
and  equity  ;  to  our  own  inftruction  and  encourage- 
ment, and  to  the  defigns  of  Providence  in  the  afflicl:- 


C    '*    3 

ing  event  and  to  the  declarations  of  the  divine  word  ; 
to  hold  the  memory  of  the  juft  in  refpe&ful  and  ever- 
lafting  remembrance  ;  to  lay  it  to  heart,  when  the 
righteous  perifheth,  and  by  dwelling  on  their  worth, 
to  endeavour  to  catch  their  fpirit,  and  glow  with 
their  flame. 

In  an  eminent  manner  did  the  perfon  we  lament,  ap- 
pear to  confider  himfelf,  with  all  his  endowments  and 
opportunities,  as  placed  in  the  world  by  the  Great 
Moral  Governor,  and  bound  by  the  ftrongeft  obliga- 
tions and  motives  to  be  faithful,  active,  and  perfeve- 
ring  in  the  duties  of  his  ftation.    In  few  inftances  have 
time  and  talents  been  fo  diligently,  confcientioufly 
und  ufefully  employed.    A  genius  active  and  original, 
a  judgment  diftinguiftiing  and  correct,  and  a  reten- 
tive memory,  improved  by  a  learned  education,  and 
habitual  and  clofe  induftry  ;  and  united  to  chriftian 
faith  and  temper,  could  not  fail,  to  make  a  character 
of  eminent  ufefulnefs  and  honor.       We  have  rea- 
fon  to  blefs  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  that  he  de- 
voted himfelf  to  the  chriftian  miniftry,  and  entered 
into  the  fpirit  of  his  office.     With  what  diligence  and 
zeal  he  ftroye  to  acquire  and  communicate  chriftian 
knowledge,  none  prefent  can  be  ignorant.     Seizing 
the  early  hours  of  the  day,  fuperior  to  the  entice- 
ments of  indolence,  abhorring  idlenefs,finifhing  what- 
ever ftudy  or  inquiry  he  had  begun,  and  ufmg  recre- 
ations and  vifits,  as  preparations  for  ferious  purfuits, 
his  mind  was  enriched  with  a  large  ftore  of  theolog- 
ical  and  evangelical  learning.     But  his  ardent  curi- 
ofity  did  not  confine  itfelf  to  the  mere  ftudies  of  his 
prcfefiion.     Not  by  flighting  any  of  the  public  or  pri- 
vate duties  of  his  oflice,  but  by  fuperior  economy  ot 

time 


E     '3    1 

time  and  induftry,  he  redeemed  leifure  to  carry  his 
refearches  into  other  fields  of  literature,  fuited  to 
gratify  his  tafte  and  increafe  his  ufefulnefs.  How  well 
he  joined  to  theology  and  general  literature  the 
knowledge  of  human  nature  and  the  characters  of 
men  was  evinced  by  his  difcourfes,  adapted  to  real  life, 
and  unfolding  the  fecret  fprings  of  action  ;  and  by 
his  converfation  and  behaviour,  fuited  to  perfons, 
times,  and  places. 

Such  intellectual  and  moral  attainments  could  not 
but  render  him  an  important  character  to  the  world, 
to  his  country,  and  to  the  religious,  literary,  and 
domeftic  focieties,  with  which  he  was  connected. 
The  world  has  reaped  the  fruits  of  his  labors  and 
refearches,  not  only  in  his  profellional  ftudies,  but  in 
other  departments  of  literature  ;  in  writings,  which 
will  maintain  their  reputation,  fo  long  as  readers  of 
piety  and  tafte,  and  lovers  of  historical  truth  re- 
main. It  is  a  painful  circumftance  attending  his 
death,  that  it  flops  the  progrefs  of  a  ufeful  and  inter- 
efting  work,  for  which  the  public  voice  pronounced 
him  peculiarly  qualified,  and  which  the  world  of  let- 
ters hoped  he  might  extend  through  the  fucceflive 
periods  of  his  country's  hiftory.* 

How  he  magnified  the  office  of  the  chriftian  miniftry, 
you  and  others,  who  enjoyed  his  miniftrations,  who 
joined  in  his  prayers,  who  liftened  to  his  preaching, 
and  faw  him  in  the  private  duties  of  his  ftation,  can 
better  conceive,  than  I  defcribe.  If  a  judicious  and 
feafonable  choice  of  fubjects,  pertinency  of  thoughts, 
clearnefs  of  method,  and  warmth  of  application  ;  if 
language  plain  and  pcrfpicuous,  poliihed  and  nervous; 
jf  ftriking  illuftrations  ;  if  evangelical  doctrines  and 

motives  -, 

*  The  American  Biography. 


I  '4 '] 

motives ;  if  a  ferioufnefs,  and  fervor,  evincing  that  the 
preacher's  own  mind  was  affected ;  if  a  pronunciation 
free  and  natural,  diftinct  and  emphatical,  are  excel- 
lencies in  public  teaching,  you,  my  brethren  of  this 
{Society,  have  poffeffed  them  in  your  deceafed  Paftor, 
Your  attention  was  never  drawn  from  the  great 
practical  views  of  the  gofpel  by  the  needlefs.  introduc- 
tion of  controverfial  fubjecls ;  nor  your  minds  per- 
plexed, nor  your  devotional  feelings  damped  by  the 
cold  fubtleties  of  metaphyfick.  His  preaching  was 
defigned  to  make  you  good  and  happy,  and  not  to 
gain  your  applaufe.  Whilft  the  manner  as  well  as 
matter  was  fuited  to  affect  the  heart,  no  attempt  was 
made  to  overbear  your  imaginations  and  excite  your 
paffions  by  clamorous  and  affected  tones. 

You  are  witneffes  what  is  loft  no  lefs  in  private 
conduct  and  example,  than  in  public  miniftrations ; 
how  well  his  life  became  his  doctrine,  how  the  divine, 
moral,  and  focial  virtues  appeared  in  him  in  the  vari- 
ous fcenes  of  life,  in  the  hours  of  adverfity,  and  in  his 
intercourfe  with  his  people.  You  are  witneffes,  how 
kind  and  inoffeniive,  yet  plain  and  fincere  was  his  de- 
meanour towards  you  ;  how  tender  and  fympathet- 
ick  were  his  feelings  ;  for  he  could  fay,  "  Who  is 
weak  and  I  am  not  weak  i  Who  is  offended  and  I  burn 
not  ?  Have  I  not  wept  with  him  that  was  in  trouble  ?" 
You  are  witneffes,  how  ufeful  was  his  converfation, 
how  fimple  and  unaffected  were  his  manners.  The 
fick  are  witneffes  of  his  attention,  his  fidelity,  and 
tendernefs,  in  comforting  the  believing,  in  warning 
the  finner,  and  confirming  the  doubtful.  The  unrea- 
fonable  and  cenforious  are  witneffes  of  his  patience  and 
indulgence,  the  unbelieving  of  his  defire  to  con- 
vince 


C     '5    ] 

vince  them ;  the  afflicted  and  defpondent  of  the 
fweetnefs  of  his  confolations  and  his  gentle  encourage- 
ment ;  the  poor  of  his  ready  advice  and  afliftance^ 
and  to  the  extent  of  his  abilities,  his  alms  j  the  rich 
of  his  chriftian  independence,  united  with  a  becom- 
ing complaifance  ;  and  the  profligate,  of  his  grief  for 
their  depravity,  of  his  utter  difapprobation  of  their 
characters. 

To  other  Churches  and  to  his  Brethren  in  the 
Miniftry,  he  omitted  no  opportunities  of  being  ufefuL 
The  caufe  of  religion  in  general  and  in  this  part  of 
Our  land  in  particular,  derived  eminent  fupport  and 
honor  from  his  learned,  able,  and  faithful  preaching 
and  his  exemplary  life.  At  a  time,  when  an  "  evil 
heart  of  unbelief,"  or  a  thoughtlefs  indifference  is 
fo  prevalent,  the  lofs  of  fuch  an  influence  in  favour  of 
truth  and  virtue  is  a  general  calamity. 

Whilft  the  Church  is  deprived  of  a  diftinguifhed 
Minifter,  the  Republic  of  letters  of  an  accomplifhed 
Scholar  and  Writer,  the  country  mourns  a  Patriot. 
Ever  a  ftrenuous  ahertor  of  the  rights  of  the  Colonies 
in  fpeech  and  writing,  and  a  warm  friend  of  the  revo- 
lution, which  accomplifhed  the  independence  of  the 
United  States ;  he  was  alfo  a  decided  advocate  and 
fupporter  of  the  governments  of  our  own  choice, 
which  fucceeded,  and  of  the  Conftitution  for  the 
States  in  Union,  which  he  confidered  the  bulwark 
of  our  national  fecurity  and  welfare.  His  love 
of  true  liberty  was  equal  to  his  hatred  of  licentiouf- 
nefs ;  his  zeal  for  the  rights  of  man  to  his  zeal  for  the 
defeat  of  faction  and  anarchy.  A&uated  by  public  fpi- 
rit,  and,  viewing  it  the  duty  of  every  citizen  to  throw 
his  whole  weight  into  the  fcale  on  the  fide  of  law  and 

order. 


L  ^  ] 

ofder,  he  was  earned  in  his  willies  and  prayers  for" 
the  government  of  the  country,  and  in  critical  periods, 
took  an  open  and  unequivocal,  and  as  far  as  profef- 
fional  private  duties  allowed,  an  active  part. 

The  Academies  and  Societies,  inftituted  for  Arts 
and  Sciences,  for  promoting  Hiftorical  Knowledge 
and  Humanity,  as  well  as  the  Univerfity,  are  deprived 
of  all  that  affiftance  and  fupport  which,  as  far  as  health 
feeraifttedj  they  derived  from  one,whofe  predominant 
defire  was  to  do  good,  whofe  folid  mind  was  fupe- 
rior  to  the  vanity  of  applaufej  and  valued  every  thing 
m  proportion  to  its  utility. 

As  a  fon,  a  hufband,  a  father,  a  br other j  a  friend, 
and  neighbour,  what  he  was,  their  bleeding  hearts 
can  tell,  who  were  connected  with  him  in  thefe  inter - 
efting  relations ;  who  knew  his  kind  and  cheerful 
temper,  his  finccre  and  guilelefs  difpofifion,  his  difin* 
tereiled  benevolence,  and  his  activity  in  every  good 
work. 

Is  it  poffible  for  a  chriftian  to  doubt  that  death,  to" 
one  of  fuch  a  character  is  unfpeakable  gain  ?  Believ- 
ing him  to  have  been  ftedfaft,  unmoveable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  can  we  imagine 
that  his  labor  will  be  in  vain  ?  If  he  is  faithful,  who 
hath  promifed,  there  is  henceforth  laid  up  for  him  a 
crown  of  righteoufnefs*  He  fhall  not  remain  under  the 
power  of  the  grave.  The  eye  of  faith  follows  him 
into  a  world  of  bright  and  endlefs  joy.  Neither  ought 
l  h&Juddennefs  of  his  departure  to  be  viewed  as  an  evil  to 
him,  however  mocking  it  may  be  to  furviving  friends. 
Nature  indeed  teaches  them  to  think  it  would 
have  given  fomc  alleviation  to  their  feelings,  to  have 
had  a  parting  interview,  to  have  heard  his  laft  wilh  ; 

to 


C   •*   1 

to  have  received  his  final  blefiing.  Their  confolation 
under  the  want  of  this  indulgence  to  their  affection 
is  to  be  found  in  reflecting,  that  to  fuch  a  man  it  was 
a  favoured  lot  to  be  faved  the  anguifh  and  terror  of 
a  lingering  death. 

But  whilft  his  chriftian  temper  and  hope  forbid  us 
to  mourn  for  him,  they  do  not  forbid  us  to  mourn 
for  ourfeives.  Thofe  virtues,  which  fitted  him  for 
heaven,  made  him  defired  on  earth.  To  his  lonely 
confort  and  defolate  family,  whom  he  cherifhed  and 
protected,  to  his  deftitute  flock,  by  whom  he  was 
loved  and  honored,  to  the  circles  of  private  friendfhip, 
whom  his  company  enlivened  and  bleffed,  to  the 
friends  and  minifters  of  religion,  whom  he  advifed  and 
encouraged,  to  the  lovers  of  learning,  who  viewed 
him  as  her  patron  and  ornament,  it' is  allowed  and 
required  to  deplore  fo  great  a  lofs.  But  let  refigna- 
tion  be  joined  with  forrow.  Man  is  born  to  die. 
Genius,  learning,  and  worth  can  claim  no  exemption 
from  the  tyranny  of  the  grave.  The  ftroke  of  death 
is  directed  by  that  infinite  Being,  who  is  too  wife  to 
err,  and  too  juft  to  do  wrong  ;  who  takes  only  what 
he  gave,  and  what  was  not  deferved  folong;  and 
whofe  darkeft  difpenfations  will  hereafter  appear 
confiftent  and  glorious. 

Whilft  we  do  not  faint  under  his  rebuke,  neither 
let  us  defpife  his  chaftening.  We  are  loudly  admon- 
ifhed  to  follow  the  deceaied  friend  in  all  things,  in 
which  he  followed  thrift.  Let  his  piety,  his  fidelity, 
his  diligence  and  zeal,  be  cherifhed  in  our  remem- 
brance, and  emulated  in  our  conduct.  For  a  time 
before  his  death,  he  had  peculiar  caufe  to  be  looking 
(  for 


C   18   3 

for  his  laft  change.     Thofe  admonitions  of  his  frailty, 
which  he  had  in  his  own  body,  by  the  attacks  of  that 
diforder,  whofe  laft  return  he  furvived  but  a  few 
hours,  we   have  in  the   thoufand  unfeen  dangers, 
within  and  without  us,  and  in  the  continual  ravages 
of  the  deft r oyer  within  our  knowledge  or  obferva- 
tion.     But  whilft  we  alfo  watch  for  the  fummons  out 
of  life,  let  us  watch  as  he  did  -,  not  by  anxioufly  or 
fupinely  meditating  on  death,  but  by  doubling  our 
diligence  in  all  the  duties  of  life.     Though  fenfible  of 
his  continual  danger,  he  poffeffed  his  mind  in  calm- 
nefs  and  vigor  ;  arranged  his  affairs,  and  exerted  un- 
remitted induftry,  when  not  interrupted  by  pain  or 
debility,  in  his  ftudies,  and  in  attentions  to  his  family 
and  people,  refolving,  like  a  good  foldier,  to  die  at  his 
poft.     This  is  the  proper  effect,  of  the  fear  of  death  ; 
which  fhould  ftimulate,  not  damp  our  ardor  in  every 
laudable  purfuit ;  that  when  it  fhall  come,  it  may 
find  us  employed  in  our  Mafter's  bufmefs.     "  Bleffed 
is  that  fervant,  whom  his  Lord,  when  he  cometh, 
fhall  find  watching.     If  he  fhall  come  at  the  fecond 
or  third  watch  and  find  him  fo,  bleffed  is  that  fer- 
vant." 

The  relatives  of  the  deceafed  are  not  forbidden  by 
reafon  or  religion,  to  let  the  tide  of  affection  flow. 
The  folitary,^r/»<?r  of  his  life  is  ready  to  exclaim, 
"  Heavy  as  the  fand  of  the  fea  is  my  grief.  I  was  at 
eafe,  but  thou  haft  broken  me  in  pieces.  Even  to-day 
is  my  complaint  bitter."  Who  fhall  chide  her  tears  ? 
Who  fhall  be  infenfible  to  her  diftrefs  ?  But  there  are 
confolations,  neither  few  nor  fmall.  Let  the  hope  of 
immortality,  which  fuftained  her  departed  friend  in 

the 


C     -9     ] 

the  changes,  trials,  and  forrows  of  life  and  the  prof- 
peel:  of  death,  be  an  anchor  to  her  foul,  fure  and 
ftedfaft.  Let  it  foften  her  grief,  that  he  has  finiihed 
his  warfare  and  is  gone  to  receive  his  crown.  She 
cannot  wrfh  him  to  return  and  again  enter  the  lifts, 
and  engage  in  the  combat.  She  will  hail  his  fafe  ar- 
rival on  that  peaceful  fliore,  "  where  the  wicked  ceafe 
from  troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  reft."  There  is 
a  friend  in  heaven,  before  whom  fhe  may  pour  out 
her  forrows.  To  his  kind  providence,  may  me  con- 
fidently trull  her  worldly  interefts.  The  curtain  of 
feparation  will  foon  be  drawn,  and  reveal  that  glori- 
ous and  happy  ftate,  where  the  darkeft  defigns  of 
Providence  fhall  be  explained,  where  virtuous  friends 
fhall  no  more  be  divided,  and  the  tearful  eye  and  the 
bleeding  heart  be  unknown. 

May  the  children  acknowledge  and  adore  the  hand 
of  a  righteous  God  in  this  melancholy  reverfe  j  and 
find  a  balm  for  their  wounded  hearts  in  the  truths 
and  promifes  of  religion.  While  they  mourn  the 
death,  may  they  be  thankful  for  fo  long  a  continu- 
ance of  the  life  of  their  excellent  parent.  May  they 
remember  his  inftructions,  his  example,  his  prayers ; 
call  up  his  refpecled  idea  in  every  feafon  of  tempta- 
tion, and  trouble,  as  a  reftraint,  a  folace,  and  an  incen- 
tive ;  and  prove  themfelves  worthy  of  fuch  a  father. 
May  they  endeavour  in  fome  meafure  to  fupply  their 
lofs  by  redoubled  affection  to  each  other,  and  annu- 
ity towards  their  furviving  head.  Senfible  of  the 
worth  and  importance  of  a  chriftian  temper  and 
hope,  may  they  take  each  other  by  the  hand  and  go 
on  rejoicing  through  all  the  dark  and  gloomy  fleps 

of 


C   w   ] 

of  this  earthly  pilgrimage  in  the  way  to  everlafting 
life. 

We  are  afflicted  in  your  affliction,  my  Fathers  and 
Brethren  of  this  Church  and  Society.     We,  who  were 
connected  with  you  in  a  joint  religious  fervice,  fliare 
the  lofs,  having  participated  with  you  as   well  in 
his  labors  at  ftated  feafons  as  in  his  private  fociety. 
The  perfon  who  addreffes  you  may  be  allowed  to 
fpeak  of  the  void  made  in  his  happinefs  by  the  diffo- 
lution   of  a  friendfhip,  which  excited  his  happieft 
emotions  and  contributed  to  his  improvement  and 
honor,     <£  But  the  fathers,  where  are  they ;  and  do 
the  prophets  live  forever  V  Unavailing  are  worth  or 
friends  to  avert  or  ftay  a  moment  the  ftroke  of  death. 
Blefs  God  for  the  benefit  of  his  labor  of  love  fo  long. 
Remember  how  he  taught,  perfuaded,  and  warned 
you.    You  defired  and  valued  his  life  :  cherifh  and  re- 
fpect  his  memory.  Be  affured  that  to  whom  much  has 
been  given,  of  them  will  much  be  required.     Let  no 
root  of  bitternefs  fpring  up  among  you.     Though 
the  Shepherd  be  fmitten,  let  not  the  iheep  be  fcatter- 
ed.     By  the  love  you  bear  to  his  memory,  by  your 
defire  to  avoid  every  thing   which  it  would  have 
iharpened  his  laft  pang  to  fear,  be  intreated  not  to 
forfake  the  affembling  of  yourfelves  in  the  houfe  of 
God  and  at  the  table  of  the  Lord.     "  Be  of  good  com- 
fort, be  of  one  mind ;  live  in  peace,  and  the  God  of 
love  and  peace  fhall  be  with  you." 

May  we,  my  Fathers  and  Brethren  in  the  Mini/lry, 
efpecially  thofe  of  us,  who  were  ajfociated  with  the 
deceafed  Brother,  be  fuitably  affected  by  this  awful 
vifitation.     One  dear  and  important  to  us  and  to  the 

to 


[       21       ] 

caufe  of  our  common  chriftianity,  had  been  torn  from 
the  embraces  of  our  affeftion,*  when  we  are  fuddenly 
called  to  refign  another,  whofe  praife  was  in  all  our 
Churches,  whofe  worth  engraved  on  our  hearts.  Let 
the  fcene  before  our  eyes,  be  a  commanding  motive 
to  work  while  it  is  day,  fince  the  night  of  death 
is  approaching.  Let  it  quicken  our  diligence,  and 
zeal,  and  increafe  our  circumfpedion  and  fidelity. 
Let  it  wean  us  from  undue  attachment  to  a  world, 
which  death  will  foon  flamp  with  vanity  ;  and  excite 
us  to  lay  hold  on  the  fublime  promife,  "  They  that  be 
wife  fhall  fhine  as  the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn 
many  to  righteoufnefs  as  the  ftars  forever  and  ever." 
AMEN, 

*  John  Clarke,  d.  jd.  * 


The  following  Character  was   pub- 
'     liftied  in  the  Columbian  Centinel. 

Bostonj  June  25,  1798. 
CHARACTER  OF  THE  LATE  REV.  DR.  BELKNAP. 

TEREIVIY  BELKNAP,  D.  D.  Faftor  of  the  Church 
J  inFederal-ftreet,  was  born  in  this  town,  June  4, 
1*443  had  the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  the 
grammar  fchool,  under  the  care  of  the  celebrated 
Mr.  Lovel;  and  entered  Harvard  College,  in  1758. 
This  year  he  published  a  poem  upon  the  taking  of 
Cape-Breton, 

He  difcovered  at  this  early  period,  fuch  marks  of 
genius  and  tafte,  fuch  talents  for  compofition,  fuch  a 
Sow  of  fentiment  in  convention,  as  to  engage  the 
efteem  of  the  ftudents,  and  arreft  the  attention  of  his 
inftruftors.  His  friends  anticipated  a  life  that  would 
be  diftinguiihed,  and  foon  beheld,  with  fatisfa&ion, 
that  it  would  be  eminently  ufeful. 

Having  received  the  honors  of  the  Univerhty,  in 
1762,  he  applied  his  mind  to  the  various  branches  of 
fcience  ;  but  feeling  very  ferious  impremons  of  di- 
vine truth,.he  turned  his  thoughts  to  theology,  and 
the  more  he  ftudied,  the  more  he  was  captivated  with 
the  beauties  of  religion.  The  whole  bent  of  his  foul 
was  to  the  work  of  the  miniflry ,  and  to  this  he,  in  the 
moft  folemn  manner,  devoted  himfelf.  In  1763,  he 
publifhed  a  pathetic  elegy,  upon  the  death  of  his  mm- 
ifter,  the  Rev.  Alexander  Cummings,  which  difcov- 
ered how  much  he  was  influenced  by  devotional  fen- 

,.„  When 

timents. 


[     =3     ] 

When  lie  became  a  preacher  of  the  gofpel,  he  was 
invited  to  take  the  charge  of  the  church  at  Dover,  in 
New-Hampfhire.  There  he  palled  feverai  years  of 
his  valuable  life  with  the  efteem  and  affection  cf  his 
flock,  in  habits  of  intimacy  with  minifters,  and  other 
gentlemen  of  the  neighbouring  places,  all  of  whom 
regretted  his  departure-  He  received  marks  of  atten- 
tion and  refpect  from  the  firft  characters  of  the  ftatc, 
who  perfuaded  and  encouraged  him  to  compile  a 
hiftory  which  does  much  honor  to  our  country,  and 
has  given  the  author  a  name  and  diftinclion  among 
the  firft  literary  characters  of  the  ap-e. 

Soon  after  Dr.  Belknap  had  left  the  Church  in 
Dover,  the  Preibyterian  Church  in  this  town  became 
vacant.  Having  agreed  to  form  their  Church  upon 
Congregational  principles,  and  invited  him  to  be 
their  Paftor,  he  accepted  the  call,  and  was  mftulled 
April  4th,  1787.  Nothing  could  have  been  more 
agreeable  to  the  minifters  and  people  cf  the  ether 
churches,  and  to  all  who  regarded  the  interefts  of  the 
Univerfity  of  Cambridge,  with  which  he  became  of- 
ficially connected ;  being  fully  confident  that  he  would 
be  a  great  inftrument  in  promoting  the  caufe  of  re- 
ligion and  learning. 

He  was  an  evangelical  preacher  ;  but  his  fermons 
were  filled  with  a  rich  variety  of  obfervations  on  hu- 
man life  and  manners.  He  never  aimed  at. a  fplendid 
diction,  but  a  vein  of  piety  ran  through  his  difcourfes, 
and  his  ftyle  was  uncommonly  elegant  and  perfpicu- 
ous  ;  his  arrangements  clear  and  luminous  ;  and  his 
language  adapted  to  the  fubject.  He  was  fure  to 
gratify  equally  the  tafte  of  the  belt  judges  of  compo- 
sition, 


C     *4     1 

fition,  and  the  humble  inquirers  after  truth.  He  had 
a  great  readinefs  in  quoting  and  applying  texts  of 
fcripture,  and  had  read  much  of  cafuiftic,  fyftematic 
and  polemical  divinity  ;  but  he  chofe  to  give  every 
fentiment  a  practical  turn,  and  to  diffufe  that  wifdom 
which  is  profitable  to  direct. 

During  the  eleven  years  of  his  miniftry  in  this 
place,  the  Society  with  which  he  was  connected  grew 
and  flouriihed.  The  attachment  was  ftrong  and  mu- 
tual. While  they  admired  his  diligence  and  fidelity, 
he  received  from  them  every  teftimony  of  refpect, 
which  marks  the  character  of  a  kind  and  obliging 
people. 

His  attentions  to  his  flock  were  founded  upon  a 
regard  to  them,  and  the  interefts  of  religion.  He 
was  their  fincere  and  affectionate  friend,  and  he  ex- 
perienced peculiar  pleafure  in  giving  religious  inftruc- 
tion  to  young  children.  He  was  very  active  in  en- 
couraging thofe  publications  which  are  deligned  for 
their  ufe  and  benefit. 

As  a  hufband,  parent,  brother  or  friend,  he  was 
tender,  affable,  kind  and  obliging — he  gave  advice 
with  cheerfulnefs,  and  with  an  attention  to  their 
concerns  which  invited  their  confidence. 

The  friends  of  Dr.  Belknap  were  numerous.  His 
acquaintance  was  much  increafed  by  his  becoming  a 
member  q£  fo  many  literary  and  benevolent  focieties  ; 
and  he  was  active  in  promoting  the  good  of  every  af- 
fociation  to  which  he  belonged : — wherever  he  could 
be  of  any  fervice,  he  freely  devoted  his  time  and 
talents. 

The  Hiilorical  Society  have  loft  their  raoft  laborious 
and  diligent  member,  and  the  founder  of  their  infti- 

tution. 


C  *5  J 
tution.  No  man  had  ever  collected  a  greater  num- 
ber of  facts,  circumftances  and  anecdotes,  or  a  more 
valuable  compilation  of  manufcripts,  which  might 
give  information  and  entertainment  to  all  thofe  who 
wifh  to  know  the  hiftory  of  their  own  country.  In 
his  purfuits  of  this  kind,  he  frequently  met  with  dis- 
appointment from  the  lofs  of  valuable  papers,  and  he 
often  mentioned  to  his  friends  in  New-Hamp- 
fliire  and  Bofton,  that  it  was  neceffary  to  preferve 
them  by  multiplying  copies,  and  making  it  the  prin- 
cipal duty  and  intereft  of  an  ailbciation  to  colled 
them,  and  to  ftudy  their  value.  The  propofals  of 
Dr.  Belknap  met  with  the  approbation  and  encour- 
agement of  feveral  gentlemen  in  this  town  and  its 
environs,  and  the  Society  was  incorporated  in  1794. 

As  an  author,  Dn  Belknap  appears  with  great  rep- 
utation, whether  we  confider  his  fugitive  perform- 
ances which  often  appeared  without  a  name,  or  his 
larger  works  which  have  been  celebrated  in  America 
and  Europe.  He  wrote  much  in  the  caufe  of  free- 
dom and  his  country  before  our  revolution,  and  his 
patriotic  ardor  was  as  ftrong  and  fincere  of  late,  as  in 
former  years.— He  was  attached  to  the  Federal  Con- 
ftitution  of  thefe  States,  which  he  thought  to  be  the 
bulwark  of  Freedom  and  good  Government ;  he  was 
fully  perfuaded  that  it  had  been  wifely  and  purely 
adminiftered,  and  in  his  convention  as  well  as  in 
feveral  of  his  public  performances,  manifefted  a  con- 
vidion,  that  a  firm  and  uniform  fupport  of  it,  was 
effentially  neceffary  to  the  Liberty  and  Profperity 
of  our  country. 

The  firft  volume  of  the  American  Biography  exci- 
ted a  ftrong  defire  in  the  minds  of  the  readers  to 
**  have 


[  4  ] 
have  the  work  continued.  A  fecond  volume  is  now 
in  the  prefs, — and  the  tears  of  genius  are  ftied,  that 
a  work  of  fo  much  entertainment  and  information, 
could  not  be  hnifhed  by  the  fame  hand.  His  mind 
was  richly  formfeed  with  this  kind  of  knowledge, 
and  he  wrote  for  the  public  benefit. — The  love  of 
fame  was  only  a  fecondary  confideration,  his  mind 
feemed  to  glow  with  a  defire  of  being  ufeful. 

The  frequent  returns  of  ill  health  to  which  this 
worthy  man  was  fubjeel,  gave  an  anxiety  to  his 
friends,  and  led"  him  to  think  that  his  days  could  not 
be  long  upon  the  earth.  This  ftimulated  his  exer- 
tions, that  he  might  do  the  more  fervice  while  the 
day  lafted. 

But  he  was  feized  fuddenly  with  a  paralytic  disor- 
der at  4  o'clock,  and  died  before  n,  on  Wednefday 
morning. 

His  remains  were  entombed  on  Friday  laft,  with 
every  teftimony  of  refpeft  from  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town. — The  Rev.  Mr.Kirkland  preached  an  affec- 
tionate difcourie  from  John  ix.  4.  The  whole  affem- 
bly  exprefied  their  iorrow.for  the  lofs  of  one  fo  near 
and  dear  to  them,  as  a  brother  and  friend  ;  fo  amia- 
ble in  the  more  tender  relations  of  domeftic  life,  fo 
exemplary  as  a  chriftian,  fo  ufeful  as  a  minifter,  fo 
rcfpcclablc  in  ail  the  public  offices  he  fuftained. — 
Who  does  not  readily  acknowledge  the  worth  and 
excellence  of  fuch  a  character  ? 


Lift  of  Dr.  Belknap9  s  Publications. 
A  Sermon   upon  Military  Duty,  preached  at  Do- 


ver, 1 


,  i//*, 


A  Serious 


Z     27     ] 

A  Serious  Addrefs  to  a  Parifhioner  upon  the  Neg- 
lect of  Public  Worfliip.  N^ 

A  Sermon,  on  Jefus  Chrift  the  only  Foundation,       V* 
preached  before  an  Affociation  of  Miniftcrs  in  New- 
Hampfhire.  3 

Election  Sermon,  preached  at  Portfmouth,  1784.  i 

A  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Jedidiah  ^ 

Morfe,  17^9-e^jc^cij^  c(jUu>*a£)  \ 

A  Cii'inuii  uiOMMbat  the  requeft  of  the  Hiftorical 
Society,  October,  1792;  being  the  Completion  of 
the  3d  Century  from  Columbus'  Difcovery  of  Amer- 
ica. 

Differtations  upon  the  Character  and  Refurrection 
of  Chrift — one  vol.  i2mo. 

Collection  of  Pfalms  and  Hymns — one  vol.  i2mo. 

Convention  Sermon,  1796. 

A  Sermon  on  the  Day  of  the  National  Faft,  May 
9th,  1798. 

Dr.  Belknap's  Hiftorical  Works  are, 

Hiftory  of  New-Hampfhire,  3  vols.  8vo. 

The  Foreftcrs  -^r  ™  'iirpiini— NiUm    i     1,     ,_ 

*"*^lHlHMttBlBHdhiJNtolb  which  has  been  re- 
printed with  fome  additions. 

American  Biography — 2  vols.  8vo. 

He  publifhed  alfo  feveral  effays  upon  the  African 
Trade  ;  upon  Civil  and  Religious  Liberty ;  upon  the 
ftate  and  fettlement  of  this  country  in  periodical 
papers  ;  in  the  Columbian  Magazine,  printed  in  Phi- 
ladelphia; in  the  Bofton  Magazine,  1 784  ;  in  the  Hif- 
torical Collections,  and  in  Newfpapers. 

It  is  the  carneft  defire  of  many,  that  his  fugitive 
writings  may  be  collected  and  republished  in  a  volume. 


f 


* 


——w     ■■■■»■ 


■ 


